You each helped in feeding about 600 families in a slum of Cambodia’s capital, ‪#‎PhnomPenh‬. As a group we donated to the kids: clothing, food supplies, vitamins, and hygienic supplies! Much was shared and learned. Our group had an intense and beautiful experience in ‪#‎Cambodia‬ with the ‪#‎YMCA‬students and each other. What I learned most importantly is to understand the value and impact you (as an individual) can have- if even in one person’s life. It doesn’t solve the big institutional issues and questions… A bag of rice is not a sustainable answer and I struggled with that. But if I could describe to you accurately the significance of that immediate help, you’ll see that any small step is still a step. It’s so hard to look into a person’s eyes and think academically, there is just that very real and true human connection that you must respond to. You can still impact the life of another person in one day, especially if their living experience is day by day.

We can’t save Cambodia in 2 weeks, but we can still try to bring as much humanity and love as possible so people know that they are not forgotten. And you can still inspire any child to think about a future and live to their potential. I’m a work in progress myself as my life moves forward from this trip but I greatly appreciate the individuals I met and was able to learn from.

About the YMCA Cambodia Project

To enhance engagement with vulnerable communities in Cambodia to improve their quality of life and increase exposure and understanding of Cambodian history and culture among program participants and their communities.